Emerson Jones vs Yexin Ma Preview & Prediction | 2026 Korea Open | First Round

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Emerson Jones takes on Yexin Ma in round one of the Korea Open. 

Ranking points: WTA 250

Start date/time: 22 September 2026 at 5:00 am

Venue: Seoul Olympic Park Tennis Center, Seoul, South Korea

Surface: Outdoor hard

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / US – Tennis Channel

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Tennis Channel

Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Emerson Jones vs Yexin Ma ticket information

Emerson Jones vs Yexin Ma prediction

Emerson Jones returns to action for the first time since US Open qualifying, where she suffered a tight 7-5 6-7 (7) 6-2 defeat to Suzan Lamens. The 18-year-old had also endured early exits in Cincinnati and Toronto, losing in straight sets to Lanlana Tararudee at both events. Her best result of the campaign so far was her title win at a W75 event in Brisbane. 

Yexin Ma has already produced two emphatic victories to qualify for the main draw. The Chinese player beat Carol Zhao 6-3 6-0 in just 62 minutes before dispatching Eunhye Lee 6-3 6-1 in just an hour and five minutes. Ma converted 12 of 20 break points across those two matches and has only dropped seven games in four sets. She enters the main draw ranked 174 in the world.

Ma also has a notable advantage in the head-to-head as she beat Jones back in February, their only previous meeting. Jones has the higher ranking and greater upside, but the immediate form points in the opposite direction: she has lost her last three matches, while Ma is already fully accustomed to the Seoul conditions.

Emerson Jones vs Yexin Ma tip: Yexin Ma to win